STAMFORD, Conn. – September 6, 2018 – Philadelphia Eagles fan, actor and comedian Kevin Hart will open NBC Sports’ coverage of NFL Kickoff 2018 tonight on NBC, as Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles and the Philadelphia Eagles begin their title defense against 2016 NFL MVP Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa. Hart narrates the piece which will open pre-game coverage on Football Night in America at 7:30 p.m. ET, leading into a new, earlier kickoff time for Falcons-Eagles of 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC.

Hart – a longtime Eagles fan – recounts the franchise’s heartbreaks through the years, discusses what defines one of the NFL’s most passionate and loyal fanbases, and relives Philadelphia’s 41-33 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII. Click here for a preview.

Tonight’s special edition of Football Night in America also includes a conversation between Hall of Famer and FNIA analyst Tony Dungy and Eagles head coach Doug Pederson about Super Bowl LII and the difficulty of repeating as champions. FNIA will also feature a performance by acclaimed singer and songwriter Shawn Mendes from Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia.

Halftime coverage will feature a preview of Football Morning in America columnist Peter King’s interviews with Packers QB Aaron Rodgers and Hall of Fame QB Bart Starr ahead of Bears-Packers on Sunday Night Football. The preview will also air during halftime of NBC Sports’ coverage of No. 8 Notre Dame vs. Ball State on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC, with the full feature airing on Sunday’s edition of Football Night in America, which begins at 7 p.m. ET.

INTERVIEW: Below are excerpts from Dungy’s interview with Pederson. If used, please note the mandatory credit: “In an exclusive interview airing tonight on Football Night in America.”

DOUG PEDERSON WITH TONY DUNGY

Pederson on when he first re-watched the “Philly Special” for enjoyment: “It was at least a week after (laughter). Even though you know the outcome of the game, I still got the emotions and everything kind of welling up inside of me as I was watching it even as a spectator.”

Pederson on how Carson Wentz is handling his recovery: “I think on the outside, he’s good. On the inside, he might be disappointed, mad and upset, because as an athlete. You want to play.”

Pederson on tonight’s opener against Atlanta: “In two years, even though we’ve won, we still haven’t thrown a touchdown pass against this defense. And yet, we’ve been able to rush the ball for some scores. It’s going to take a full 60-minute game.”